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Conflict is complex challenge that we cannot ignore

Alistair Burt

The facts speak for themselves. Half of the world’s ongoing wars have lasted for more than 20 years. Nearly two thirds of all conflicts that ended in the early 2000s reignited within five years. We have witnessed the rise of militant nationalism, sectarianism, and extremism and the resurgence of autocrats.

Despite this complexity and the scale of the challenge, I reject the notion that we can or should simply step away. The scale of suffering in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere is testament to the fact that such conflicts should not be left to continue unabated. It is not in our interest to simply sit on our hands and wait for these problems to find their way to our doorstep.